+ − Contact Information

Phone: (517) 373-0797

Fax: (517) 373-5236

+ − Biography

Jansen was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 1996 and was re-elected twice, serving through 2002. Jansen served all six years on the House Appropriations Committee, having been one of only two freshmen appointed to this post by leadership. He chaired the Family Independence Agency subcommittee, was vice-chair of the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Natural Resources and Agriculture subcommittees and served on the Higher Education, Community Health and Transportation subcommittees.
During his first term, he was elected by his peers to be an assistant minority whip and was a member of the House Bipartisan Urban Caucus. During his second term, the Speaker appointed Jansen to lead the House Republican Policy Committee and to serve on the House Republican Campaign Committee. In 1998-1999, Jansen was named vice-chair of the Legislative Effectiveness Committee for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and was appointed to serve on the Fiscal, Oversight and Intergovernmental Committee of the Assembly of States Issues for NCSL. Jansen was also a board member for Michigan Youth in Government and served on the Steering Committee for the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD).
In 2006, Senator Jansen was first elected to the Senate and re-elected in 2010. In the 96th Legislature, Senator Richardville appointed him to chair his newly created Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee. Additionally, he chairs the LARA and Retirement Subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee. Senator Jansen also serves as the Vice-Chair of the General Government and the Human Services Sub-committees, as well as the Finance/Tax Committee.
In 2011, Senator Jansen was named MIRS State Senator of the Year.
Some of his major legislative accomplishments include:
Prior to his tenure in the Michigan Legislature, Jansen served as Gaines Township Clerk from 1992-1996.
MIRS News Most Effective Senator - 2009, 2011

Michigan Community College Association Recognition Award - 2009

Michigan Republican National Hispanic Assembly - 2008 Michigan Legislator of the Year

Police Officers Association of Michigan: 2008 Legislator of the Year
From 2002 through 2006, Jansen served as director of special initiatives for Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. He led a unique program called Vision 2020 - still going today -- that brings together local community leaders, non-profits, for-profits and other parties interested in eliminating sub-standard housing and encouraging change in specific geographic areas of Michigan. He has also served as a Kent County road commissioner, a board member of Wedgwood Christian Services for youth, and vice-president of Cutlerville Christian School Board. He has been an elder at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, Director of Youth Ministries from 1989-1996 and a missionary in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky from 1984 to 1987.
Jansen graduated from South Christian High School in Grand Rapids and attended Grand Valley State University and Calvin College.
Born September 13, 1959, Mark is married to LeAnne and they have four children: Sarah (married to Jason Noteboom), 25; Bradley, 22; Anna, 16 and Nathan, 16. The family lives in Gaines Township and are members of Covenant Christian Reformed Church.
Senator Mark Jansen can be contacted by clicking here.